Young talent in Cup games

Liverpool played their youngest-ever team against Plymouth. They paid the price as they were held 0-0 at Anfield, and manager Jurgen Klopp was accused of disrespecting football’s oldest knockout competition.

But surely for a club’s future to be bright, they must bring through a steady stream of young players into the first team?

The FA Cup gives managers a chance to hand aspiring first-teamers the intense, physical challenge they need to really test their potential.

The Cup still matters. It raises the profile and boosts the bank balance of smaller clubs. It puts their best players ‘in the shop window’.

At larger clubs, it gives young players a chance to impress – or not if their team suffers an upset.